Chapter 5

Julian held her waist, his eyes narrowing slightly in warning.

"Vivian, you're crossing a line."

"Mrs. Davies will always be her. You're merely a tool to provide reproductive genes."

Vivian pouted, complaining petulantly.

"But what if she refuses to accept our baby?!"

"Don't worry. As long as she can't have children for the rest of her life, she'll have no choice but to accept it."

Julian's chilling voice pierced the air.

I stood frozen, a cold dread spreading from my feet upward.

Julian had always claimed to love me, but his favoritism was always for Vivian.

It turned out that in this relationship, from beginning to end, I was the only one in love.

Numbly, I returned to my bedroom and sat there for a long time.

Only when the room was shrouded in darkness did I pick up my phone and dial.

"Please book me a flight. I accept the conditions you proposed."

Julian didn't return until late that night.

Fresh from the shower, his hair still damp, he tried to wrap his arms around my waist from behind. I shifted away.

"You're still up? Work ran late. Don't be angry, my love?"

"Tomorrow is our two-year anniversary. I'll take you to church to pray for peace and blessings."

When I didn't answer, he seemed unsettled.

He pulled me closer, his face buried in my neck.

"Maya, I know you've been through so much recently."

"Just hold on a little longer...once the baby arrives, we can start over. Okay?"

"Okay," I said, my voice flat, my heart a block of ice.

The heavens listen.

Julian was desperate for Vivian to conceive his privileged prodigy.

But he would be waiting in vain.